Vegan minced pork rice topped with dried onions; savory soymilk soup; and a soymilk chai from Ming-Teng Hao Hao, an all-vegan Taiwanese eatery in Tokyo. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)
A Taiwanese eatery in one of Tokyo’s hippest neighborhoods serves an all-vegan menu while adhering to an ethical commitment to environmental initiatives, according to the company’s website.
You’ll find Ming-Teng Hao Hao just a short walk from the east exit of Shimokitazawa Station, among the other trendy restaurants, cafes and secondhand clothing shops.
To eliminate paper waste, Ming-Teng Hao Hao recycles paper, including trays, in-store posters and cardboard. When customers purchase a takeaway product, they may choose a reused paper bag. The eatery also offers paper straws instead of plastic.
I ordered vegan minced pork rice topped with dried onions for 900 yen, or about $6.42. The pork substitute was delicious without the salty taste of real pork. It came with a side of shitake mushroom soup that is poured on the dish.
I also tried the 700-yen savory soymilk soup. It was creamy and topped with cilantro that added a flavor kick.
Ming-Teng Hao Hao is a Taiwanese eatery with an all-vegan menu in Tokyo's trendy Shimokitazawa neighborhood. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)
Another popular item — sold out during my visit — is the vegan boiled dumplings, which come with juicy soy meat and your choice of soy sauce, sesame sauce or chili oil. Customers can get three pieces for 400 yen; five for 600 yen; or nine for 800 yen.
To drink, I went with a soymilk chai for 600 yen and enjoyed how the soy made the drink sweeter than a typical chai latte. Other beverage options include coffee, hot or iced; Hong King milk tea; and jasmine tea. Specialty drinks include Chinese black vinegar soda and sweet azuki bean iced soy milk.
In the mood for dessert? There’s a two-piece set of mini-pineapple cakes for 300 yen. There’s also a variety of soy puddings for 800-900 yen. Flavors include sweet azuki bean topped with zenza syrup; tapioca; peanut and soybean flours and fruits like kiwi, banana and grapefruit topped with whipped cream.
Ming-Teng Hao Hao is a Taiwanese eatery with an all-vegan menu in Tokyo's trendy Shimokitazawa neighborhood. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)
Ming-Teng Hao Hao
Location: 3-19-20 Kitazawa, Setagaya City, Tokyo 155-0031
Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Prices: Most items cost between 700 yen and 900 yen.
Dress: Casual
Directions: A short walk from Shimokitazawa Station’s east exit.
Information: Online: mingtenghaohao.com
